Categories: Greek NEWS

Tanzania confirms Marburg virus disease outbreak

Published by
Gct

Five people have died in Tanzania from the Marburg virus disease following an outbreak in the country’s north-west Kagera region, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Tuesday. 

The first-ever cases of Marburg virus disease in the country were confirmed after Tanzania’s health authorities conducted laboratory tests on a reported strange disease that had infected eight people.

The patients had developed symptoms including fever, vomiting, bleeding and renal failure.

“Five of the eight cases, including a health worker, have died, and the remaining three are receiving treatment,” the WHO said.

“A total of 161 contacts have been identified and are being monitored.”

Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO’s regional director for Africa, said efforts by Tanzania’s health authorities to establish the cause of the disease signified the determination to respond to the outbreak effectively.

“We are working with the government to rapidly scale up control measures to halt the spread of the virus and end the outbreak as soon as possible,” Moeti said.

The WHO said it supports the country’s Health Ministry in deploying an emergency team to Kagera for further epidemiological investigations.

Marburg virus disease, in the same family as the virus that causes Ebola, is a highly virulent disease that causes hemorrhagic fever, with a fatality ratio of up to 88%.

Illness caused by the Marburg virus begins abruptly, with high fever, severe headaches and severe malaise.

Many patients develop severe hemorrhagic symptoms within seven days, with no vaccines or antiviral treatments approved yet to treat the virus.

The virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials.

Ads1

Ads1
Gct

Recent Posts

81-Year-Old Man Arrested for Inappropriate Conduct Near Piraeus Primary School

Police in Piraeus have taken an 81-year-old man into custody after he was observed engaging…

5 hours ago

Where Does Greece Rank? Global Study Reveals Average Hip Sizes

A recent global study by GitNux revealed the average hip sizes of women across 17…

5 hours ago

EU Plans Stricter Migration Measures for 2025, Greece Highlights Security Focus

Greece's migration minister announced on Tuesday that the European Union plans to implement stricter migration…

6 hours ago

Lockheed Martin Delivers 30th Upgraded F-16 Viper to Hellenic Air Force

Lockheed Martin has delivered the 30th upgraded F-16 Viper to the Hellenic Air Force, marking…

6 hours ago

Greek Court Orders Extradition of Israeli Billionaire Beny Steinmetz on Romanian Corruption Charges

Beny Steinmetz, the Israeli mining magnate, was convicted for his role in a scheme to…

6 hours ago

Women’s Rugby is Back

As part of the ongoing growth of women's sports, AEK is excited to announce the…

6 hours ago